Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-10-14
THE AMERICAN BOARDS MEETING.

The annual meeting of the American
board of commissioners for foreign mis-
sions, at Springfield, Mass, last week.
was lively and interesting. 1t was made
so by the contest for supremacy between
those who approved the policy of the old
management and those opposed to it..
The matter was referred to a committee,
the majority of which reported the fol-
lowing resolutions
First That we consider ii reason tor pro.
found gratitude to God that so much of en-
thusiastic devotion to the cause of missions
has been awakened among the young men
and young women of our land, and that this
board has been so amply sustained in its de-
mands for funds and for laborers. Second,
That the board adheres to the position taken
at the last annual meeting at Des Moines con-
corning the doctrine of future probation, re-
affrms its utterances made ct that time, nc.
cepts the Interpretation OF the prudential
committee as the true Interpretation of its
action. Third, That we recommend to the
prudential committee an undated careful
ness in guarding the board from any commit
tai to the approval of that doctrine.
The minority of the committee made
an extended report and recommended the
adoption of these resolutions:
First, The board reafiirms the position that
neither this board nor the prudential commit
tee is in any sense a theological court TO settle
doctrinal points OF belief. Second, The board
also specially approves and commends the
statement of the manual for missionary can
didates, that at is glorious fact that the
points which constitute emphatically the
message of missionaries to the heather are
those in which all evangelical bodies mainly
agree" And it would have its missionaries
always remember that they are sent to preach
and teach these essential truths OF Christiani-
ty. Third, The missionaries OF this board
shall have the same right of private judgment
in the Interpretation of Gods word, and the
same freedom of thought and of speech, as
are enjoyed by their ministerial brethren in
this country. In the exercise of their rights
they should have constant and careful regard
to the work of their associates and to the har.
mony and effectiveness of the missions in
which they labor. Fourth, All persons other
wise well qualified, are to be regarded as ac-
ceptable candidates for missionary appoint:
ment who heartily receive the fundamental
truths of the gospel held in common by the
churches sustaining the board and ascer.
tanned by their actual usages.
There was protracted and animated
discussion on motion to substitute the
minority resolutions for those of the ma
ority, and this was participated in by
Rev. Drs. Fisher, Parker, Taylor, Good
win, Mckenzie and Walker, Prof. Board
man and Rev. A. G. Gordon. The sub
stitution was refused by a vote of 95 to
43, more than two-thirds vote. The Off
GERS elected for the year are in full SYM
pathy with majority of the board. In
fact, there was no contest except for the
position of president and corresponding
secretary. The friends of the liberal
party opposed DR.. Angel to Rev. DR..
X. S. Storrs for the former position, and
Rev. Mr.. Boynton to DR.. Alden. OF the
167 votes cast DR.. Storrs received III and
DR.. Alden 120.